FORMER ADDICT CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW

Doctor Destroys Disease Of Heroin

Dean Cosgrove was reborn this week, and in the process he rediscovered
his eyes.

``I love my eyes,'' he said. ``They're so clear. I can't stop looking
at them. They were glassy before.''

The 21-year-old Kemblawarra methadone addict underwent a rapid
detoxification with the drug Naltrexone in Sydney on Tuesday.

He was The Illawarra Mercury reader chosen by Dr Siva Navaratnam to
receive a free treatment, plus six months of weekly counselling and
daily Naltrexone.

In return for being freed of his crippling cravings, he will perform
800 hours of community service for a church or religious organisation
near his home.

After using marijuana, amphetamines, heroin and methadone for eight
years, Dr Navaratnam's generous offer was a lifeline for Dean and his
family.

At 9am on detox day, his sister Jenene, mum Julie, stepdad Ivan, and
girlfriend Kellie Watson arrived at the Rapid Detox Centre in
Liverpool full of excitement and trepidation.

``I've got butterflies as big as seagulls,'' Dean declared as he sat
in the waiting room, teaching his mum how to play his Game Boy.

By 9.30 they were with counsellor Joey Wong, whose talk was so
extraordinarily moving and supportive that Dean declared: ``It's like
he looked into my soul.''

``Scared mate?'' Joey asked and Dean nodded.

``This is a new life from today,'' the counsellor continued. ``You'll
have a look at what life is like. Naltrexone is not a miracle drug but
it will help you because it gets rid of the craving.

``Four years ago you contracted a disease called heroin. If it was
diabetes your family wouldn't hesitate to have needles and insulin and
give you a shot every day but because it's heroin everybody judges
you. It has a legal and moral perspective.''

Turning to Dean's family, Joey said: ``Once he was hooked there was
nothing he could do. He never intended to hurt his family.

``Just chill out man,'' he instructed Dean.

``There will be a life after this. I guarantee it. Guarantee
it.

``You are the cause of a lot of your family's unwellness and you are
also the healer.

``So, when you get well, your family gets well.

``It's not good for your elder sister to be thinking about burying her
baby brother, or sitting down to dinner and wondering if someone is
going to knock at the door and say they have found your body.

``This is a gift. You can take it with both hands or you can throw it
away.

``Forget what you have done in the past. It's over. No more guilt. No
more remorse. You can't change it. The only thing you can change is
the future.

``It is the 22nd of June. Consider it your new birthday. Forget your
belly button birthday.''

With those words ringing in his ears Dean, who has sworn off all drugs
including marijuana, had the first of three needles to prepare him for
the treatment.

Shortly before 11am he was given intravenous Narcan, the drug used to
flush heroin and methadone from the system.

As his family crowded into the treatment room, Dr Navaratnam recalled
another family which brought 21 members, including a baby and toddlers
in strollers, to support a relative during detoxification.

Dr Navaratnam said that because methadone was fat soluble it was
harder to remove than heroin, which was water soluble.

That soon became frighteningly obvious as Dean went into what looked
like a fairly vigorous withdrawal.

While he lunged and writhed on the low bed in a room adjacent to the
treatment room, his next-door neighbour - a heroin user - was chatting
to his family and contemplating coffee.

Twenty-two-year-old Dau Lam, of Cabramatta, a heroin user for three
years, said he felt absolutely fine.

After seeing Dean finally sedated and sleeping and snoring, his family
took a break.

After lunch, they watched emotionally as Dean woke refreshed and
relaxed, and ready for sandwiches and Milo.

``I feel 100 per cent,'' he said.

Despite that optimism nausea meant he lost his lunch.

After more Narcan he finally received the first of what will be many
doses of Naltrexone, a drug which prevents opiates like heroin and
methadone from giving users a hit.

Dr Navaratnam said it would be a couple of weeks before all the
methadone was out of Dean's body.

The rapid detox removed 90 per cent but the residue would, at times,
make him feel pretty sick, almost like he had had chemotherapy.

By 8pm that night he was at home, resting. According to Dr Navaratnam,
who claims a success rate of just over 80 per cent, his prognosis is
very good.

On Wednesday, as he returned to the clinic for a follow-up, Dean
declared: ``I feel unreal. It's much better than I thought. I can't
remember the last time I felt this good.

``It's unbelievable. There are no effects, no cravings.

``I feel 100 per cent better than I thought I would. I just can't
believe it.''

And Jenene was reading with pride the letter she received from the
Illawarra manager of a large business.

``I read the article in Saturday's paper and I felt compelled to write
and congratulate you and your family on your efforts to help your
brother Dean with his problem,'' the manager wrote.

``I am sure that with the love and devotion that is being extended,
his road ahead will, although very difficult, be made that much easier.

``Wishing Dean, your mum and yourself well for the future and if I can
assist in any small way please do not hesitate to contact me.

``The world is a better place for having you in it. Good luck again.''